Released almost a year to the day since their debut LP, 'Ride the Lightning' displays monumental evolution for young thrash metallers Metallica. Everything from the vocals to the song-writing, and musicianship to the lyrics has improved, even if some exuberant flair has been sacrificed. Surprisingly diverse, the Californian quartet approach their ambitious objectives with confidence, infusing their sound with an intricacy that leads to both greater atmosphere & melody! With no filler among its 8 tracks & 47 minutes, this is undoubtedly a landmark release. Recommended Tracks: Fade to Black, Creeping Death, Ride the Lightning & For Whom the Bell Tolls.

With their second album, thrash titans Metallica began stumbling onto the path that would lead them to superstardom. Often viewed as sort of a rough draft of what would become Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning features many similiarities to it's cohort. However, while it's counterpart offers up something worthy of a listen every now and again, here the group falls dismally short. Featuring slighty less pre-pubescent vocals and still-mediocre drumming, Ride the Lightning is truly average in every sense of the word. Offering up the same bland riffs and formats (most notably in Escape and Trapped Under Ice), Ride the Lightning only truly breaks away from it's painful monotony at the halfway point for Fade to Black and then again for the album closer Call of Ktulu. The rest, my pissed off and/or delighted readers, is merely bad. Ambitious, but bad.

This is an absolutely amazing album. Not only does it constitute as one of the greatest Metal albums of all time, it brings forth a new intricacy into Thrash Metal, with some tracks verging on Progressive. For starters the sound and production in this album is leagues better than Kill 'Em All. It feels like a Metal album as the tone of the guitars explode into your ears. Every song on this album is top notch, with Creeping Death and Escape being the closest thing to filler. If you call really good songs instead of amazing songs filler...
Anyway, the two highlights are the heart-wrenching Fade to Black, describing a man's travel into death. The string arrangement by Hetfield is absolutely amazing, followed by the heavy burst of Kirk's metal guitar rampage. The other is The Call of Ktulu. Although it is no Orion, it defines the album's progressive and thrash elements with a certain edge and power that hadn't been created by a metal band yet, in my opinion. Ktulu powers along for 8 solid minutes riffing, switching time signatures into a more ballad-like approach (if you can call it a ballad), and then returns with the wail of another Kirk solo. Now this might seem familiar, but if sounds like nothing 1984 had ever heard.

Up until now, I've never given any thought on hearing an entire Metallica album. Considering their extensive career, fortunately, they've released quite a number of records over the years either weighing in quality or basking in the catacombs of quantity - but you could say the same about any rock or metal band. Ride the Lightning is a gorgeous studio album that triumphantly demonstrates the youthful energy of this group, as the songwriting here barely wanes as the offering progresses. Before he became the table, James Hetfield was a force to be reckoned with on vocals and a steamy guitar, and he plays off Kirk Hammett like it's no tomorrow regarding the lethal riffage. Lars Ulrich keeps time with these axeslingers with no hesitation, especially during "Fade to Black"'s bridge. Overall, a brilliant outing from a heavy metal troupe who were obviously in their prime during the 80s.

In my opinion, the album narrowly bests Master of Puppets as Metallica's greatest album of all time. An ambitious effort for the band at the time, Ride the Lightning is beyond memorable from beginning to end.

While many hold Metallica's Master of Puppets album to be the pinnacle of their career, I am of the firm opinion that Ride the Lighting deserves that distinguished honor. In fact, this album is one of the greatest in the thrash metal genre. This album contains many of Metallica's classics, including "For Whom the Bell Tolls," "Fade to Black," "Creeping Death," and the magnificent instrumental "Call of Ktulu." All members are proficient at what they do - and yes, I mean Lars too. Even though he isn't the most technical drummer, he manages to keep things held together firmly. This album sucks you in from the very beginning with the first note of the acoustic intro to "Fight Fire With Fire," and doesn't let go until the album concludes.

Fun fact: I'd heard every single song on this on this album in parts and by themselves. Yup, every single one. But this is a record that is definitely best heard as an album - an act I have finally done. I don't think anything else Metallica has put out has been as relatable as this, even though the next couple of records after this are also critically acclaimed. Regardless of what has become of them now, they deserve props for this record. Every song on it is classic.

Many people say that Master of Puppets is Metallica's classic album, I object. Ride the Lightning takes the cake for Metallica's best album. James's riffs/melodies, Kirk's solos, Cliff's amazing bass skills, and hell, even Lars's drumming is really good. Every song from start to finish is pure greatness, but the melodies on here grab the attention the best. Highlights: Ride the Lightning, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Fade to Black, Creeping Death, The Call of Ktulu

Just when you thought Kill Em' All was outstanding, then comes Ride The Lightning. They slow down the tempos a bit, but they up the ante with an utter masterpiece in metal as a whole. "fade To Black" is the first thrash metal ballad and to this day the best one, emotional yet an instrumental onslaught with larger than life riffs and a flawless solo. "Creeping Death" and the title track have some of the greatest, most memorable riffs in all of metal, underrated songs "Trapped Under Ice" and "Escape" stand tall above most music regardless, "Fight Fire With Fire" is a double bass shredfest, and "The Call of Ktulu" is a gorgeous instrumental that closes the album on a high note. "For the Whom the Bell Tolls" may be the best song they ever wrote as it builds on a slow, groovy tempo with a morbid vibe, bell chimes, dense riffs, unforgettable bass work, and is perhaps their greatest [and a rare] testament to perfectly crafted thrash metal without having to rely on fast tempos or riffs to get its point across. Ride the Lightning was the revolutionary milestone of turning thrash into a fine art in music and while perhaps not the very greatest work, it is the most important album in the genre.

The only Metallica record I've found worthy of a maximum rating because they quite matured fron Kill 'Em All. More guitar solos, fresher vocals and better lyricism. And no, I don't find Master Of Puppets better than this; while this album contains no filler or wasted moments, Master Of Puppets only has 1: Leper Messiah.

Ride the Lightning is the true blueprint to Metallica's standard '80s sound. There's viciousness on display with Fight Fire With Fire and Trapped Under Ice, as well as similarly lethal but more pummeling and slow than slicing and speedy tracks like For Whom the Bell Tolls, which is one of the band's most well known songs, or Creeping Death, which features a fucking amazing midsection. The ambitious thrash quartet expands their musical palette in other ways, too. Escape features a catchy chorus, but a crushing enough midsection to keep it metal. Fade to Black, the band's first ballad, showcased their songwriting strengths at more than just thrashy mayhem. Definitely one of Metallica's greatest albums, and the first in a trio of absolute classics of not just thrash metal, or even heavy metal, but maybe the entire harder edge of rock music as a whole.

Coming off something like Kill Em All, you really couldn't have asked for much more than this. Escape is the only thing keeping this from a perfect score. And that's not even to say its a bad song. It just isn't amazing like the rest are...

One of the greatest Metal records ever. Never has been heard so much desperation and heaviness combined in one record. Back in the day, Metallica were the true definition of Metal, and Ride The Lightning is the absolute masterpiece that marked the band's successful career. Thrash Metal full of soul and emotion.

Metallica is the most popular metal band. Everyone knows it. Newbies to metal first listen to Metallica, rather than Iron Maiden or Black Sabbath. Whatever Metallica does is regarded as the greatest in the metal scene. Even if many other metal albums are better than this one from Metallica, many metalheads neglect those albums. It has almost become mandatory for one to listen(and to having been listening) to Metallica to say that he is a metal fan.

With 'Ride the Lightning', Metallica became more than just a run-of-the-mill thrash metal band while retaining their heaviness and speed of their debut. Songs like "Fade to Black" and "The Call of Ktulu" show a more softer and emotional side to the band, while songs like "Fight Fire With Fire" and "Creeping Death" show Metallica at their fiercest.

Although the title for Metallica's best album often (and understandable) goes to Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning should not be overlooked. It's rough production (going just a notch above their first album, Kill 'Em All, which may be too rough for some), James Hetfield's very young and harsh vocals, and the incredible musicianship (even Lars was great back then)... Everything just Works. Fade to Black, Creeping Death, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Fight Fire with Fire and the title-track may be some of the best thrash songs ever made.

While not as innovative as its predecessor, Ride the Lightning was as impressive follow-up all the same. It's definitely the most melodic of the "Burton Trilogy", and is essential for any fan of the band.

After giving birth to Thrash with their revolutionizing debut, Metallica recorded Ride
the Lightning, an album that was even more stunning. In every possible way. Their second
album would affect countless metal acts and many people today tend to believe that RTL is
the band's magnum opus. However, the best was yet to come.

Master of Puppets is the greatest Metallica record of all time, but Ride the Lightning is the definitive Metallica record for me. This was when Metallica really put all of their best songwriting efforts into one disc, and it paid off. Cliff Burton's talents and contributions will never be duplicated or forgotten.

Metallica's second classic album and although it isn't quite as good as a whole album as 'Puppets' I think some of the songs on here are greater than those on 'Puppets'. For example 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', 'Creeping Death' and 'Fade to Black' are some of the best of their career. However the skippable 'Escape' makes this narrowly worse than 'Master of Puppets', still one of the best metal albums you'll find though.

Master of Puppets is arguably considered their magnus opus but Ride The Lightning is close second in my book. This record is essential and extreme influential to an entire generation of metal heads worldwide. All songs here are anthems but my favourites are Fight Fire With Fire, Ride The Lightning, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Fade To Black, The Call Of Ktulu and specially Creeping Death, in my opinion their best song. An absolute classic.

There are three types of people in the world. People who love Metallica, people who don't and people who only love "old" Metallica. While I fit into the first category, I can't deny the influence of "old" Metallica. This is one of the prime examples. With some of the most memorable and thrashiest songs, it certainly earns its title as a classic.

Everybody knows Metallica's contribution to metal. I don't really need to write anything here because it's Metallica. This is my favorite Metallica album, two of it's songs are written by Dave Mustaine. Though neither of them are particularly stand-out tracks. Creeping Death, Fade to Black, For Whom the Bell Tolls. All went to become massively popular tracks from this album. James' does a great job on the vocals here, Cliff as usual is stellar on the bass, and Kirk has a few pretty nice solos and riffs. Lars sucks.

Although Metallica's best album is usually regarded as being Master of Puppets, I have to disagree; instead, I hold Ride The Lightning as the true owner of that title. The main reason for this, apart from my opinion, is that the album feels like a true album. The songs on RTL all have an angry, dark, and suppressing feel, which helps them flow as one. The concussion-inducing opener, Fight Fire With Fire, sets the quickfire pace for the album, only slowing down for the ballad Fade to Black. Every single song is one to treasure, (with perhaps the exception of Escape), and in turn make this album a classic.

For a good chunk of the album's run time, Ride the Lightning encompasses nearly every strength the thrash metal genre knows and makes the first five tracks indicate the entire album won't let up. Afterwards, however, the sound begins to slow down and shows that "slow" and "thrash metal" are not always ideal combinations. Thus, we have a release that hits below the excellent mark but still has some very strong tracks regardless.

Ride the Lightning is one of those albums that I could listen to from start to end one hundred times in a row. I can't take how people on this site like Megadeth more... in fact, Dave Mustaine wrote the title track on this album, and it's his best work besides Hangar 18 and Black Friday, and he's not even in Metallica any more!!! But seriously, extraordinary album. Don't mean to bash Mustaine either, he's absolutely brilliant. I'm a Metallica fan boy for life. This really deserves a 4.5, but the highest you can give a 4.5, because of the repetitiveness of Call of Ktulu and the mediocrity of Escape. But sorry, again, I am a Metallica fan boy.

A thrash opus by all accounts, superstars-to-be Metallica were on a roll. Following on from their impressive debut, thrashers Metallica added a lot more melodic and progrssive elements that would be perfected on their monster third album. That is not to say that this album pales in comparison, with some awesome tracks such as opener Fight Fire With Fire, the brilliant ballad Fade To Black and the crushing Creeping Death. However, the album has two very obvious flaws- Trapped Under Ice and Escape. These two filler tracks bring the album well below the Master of Puppets standards. Still, a very powerful and important album, it comes recommended for any and all metal fans.

This album is so awesome and it is my favorite metallica album! the guitars are real fast and speed and the vocals are real brutal! the songs are real good. the drums are real fast too. and the part in for who the bell tolls wear the bass player cliff starts playing the bass and it sounds like a guitar is so cool! this album is fifty minetes of pure heavy metal and it rocks!

This is my favorite Metallica album. Fade to Black and Creeping Death are two thrash metal classics. The riffage, the solos, the awesome singing of James Hetfield. Everything is great about this album. The only thing plauging this from classic status is the bland tracks Escape and Trapped Under Ice.

I never gave this album a chance even though i have had it for months. I listened to only parts and never gave it a shot. Recently i sat and listened to it and its great this is a superb metallica album and if your fan of metal or of metallica you gotta pick it up

HAH the good old days of Metallica. Ride the lightning was definatly one of the best albums by Metallica second best next to Master of puppets i think. Fade to black just wow. Ride the lightning itself was brilliant. Trapped under ice great. Creeping death Simply awesome. This album and Master of puppets show Metallica at the best of their times along with kill em all and the others from that time period. After the black album they changed a bit but still were amazing in my opinion. But this is the metallica i will always consider legends.

Its a decent review, not great. This album is definitely one of the greatest albums ever, but I'm not sure its the best Metallica album. I used to think so...but Ride the Lightning, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Escape are just too weak of songs for it to be hailed the greatest metal album ever.
On a separate note, I think its funny you say Fight Fire with Fire is the weakest park of this album. Its at LEAST in the top three Metallica songs ever written, if not the best. From the classical intro, to the brutal verse riffing, to the amazing solo and post-solo harmonizing, and the double bass drum kicks, its just crazy they wrote that song in 1984....so ahead of its time.

Ride The Lightning is the little sister of Master of Puppets, and everybody knows that little sisters suck when compared to their ultra cool older brothers. While RTL paved the way to Master of Puppets, this album fails in comparison. However, Ride The Lightning is one of the most kick-ass thrash albums ever, and it's Metallica's second best album.

A thrasterpiece along with the rest of the records Metallica did with Cliff Burton.Although my personal favourite is Master of Puppets and I like Kill 'em all more than Ride the Lightning,this record is an undisputed classic.The only song I don't appreciate that much is Escape and I honestly don't get why Trapped Under Ice takes so much shit.It's one of the best songs of the album.

Ride the lightning is old school and doesn't compare with the new stuff . Ride the lightning Is a great song , has a good start , great solos , Great chorus ...... Creeping death as well ........ For whom the bell tolls is nice . It is a little slow on the CD but live ... It was always a powerfull song ! There is just one thing that I don't like about te song Ride The Lightning .... At the begining it has a poor drum rythm for it's guitar rythm .

This album is another great thrash album. It is my 2nd favourite Metallica album, but it isn't perfect. If the song Escape wasn't on here, it might be a 5/5. There is more soft material on here than on Kill em All, but that isn't a bad thing. My favourite song here is.....Fade To Black.

I am a very big fan of metallica, but for this CD to have almost a 4.5 average is just insane. I mean come on the the cover song sucked terribly, and the cover song is supposed to be the best one on the album (at that time). The only to that I liked was Fade to Black and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Accutually the only song on the album i really like was Fade to Black, but i'm the guy who has to have at least two favorite songs on an album. But just to say the only song on hear that appealled to me was Fade to Black.
any comments e-mail me at "dmrader12@yahoo.com"

Well written review! This is my second favourite Metallica album, pretty obvious what the first one is going to be. The opening riff after the intro to 'Fight Fire With Fire' sounds face-rippingly fast and thrashing even today! I love ths album.

Normally I like Thrash songs only, but Thrash albums are too repetitive for me because they have no variation. This album is an exception. There's enough variation to keep me listening. And every song on this album is very catchy. In my opinion the best Thrash-album ever.